There seems to be a big misun- derstanding that is hitting the media, gay groups, the A&E network and African- Americans.

Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” made some statements. OK, some groups didn’t like them. Some TV hosts and commentators are all fired up in opposition, OK.

What did Phil Robertson say? He quoted the Bible. But Phil’s a bigot. He quoted the Bible. That’s right. Well then, so am I and other folks, including some TV hosts and commentators.

How come of all the commentators I heard, about 95 percent opposed Phil quoting what the Bible says? Why weren’t there more people interviewed that agreed with Phil? Were they invited or were the inviters bigots?

There was a pastor who had a degree in Hebrew study of the Old Testament (originally written in Hebrew) that told an opponent that misquoted Leviticus 18:21-24. The opponent said God was not against homosexuality. The pastor said, “Study it.” Another opponent said Jesus never addressed homosexuality. “Study Matthew 19:3-9.”

We, who hold to Scripture, are not bigots. Phil quoted what God wrote. Phil quoted 1st Corinthians 6:8-11 along with Leviticus 18:23.

As far as Phil talking down about African-Americans, what did he say? “I saw.” He saw singing and the happiness. The African-Americans happened to be in the same environment that Phil was in as “white trash” before welfare came “for anyone on it” (there are whites on it). This is what Phil saw. You opposing groups were not there at that place, at that time with those who were present — white and black.

What God says will never be changed (Matthew 24:35.) Is God a bigot? Or is he trying to teach us something like right from wrong? I know this gay lifestyle has been called a medical-mental condition, and science says it’s just another way to live. Sorry. The Bible says it’s sin. The Bible outranks anything man says if in opposition.

If more people who oppose what Phil quoted would study the Bible, they will understand.

Phil did nothing wrong.

James E. Brammer, Salem

Contrary to study findings, shale plays big role in NE Ohio growth

A recent study authored by opponents of shale energy made the unbelievable claim that Ohio’s oil and natural gas boom isn’t that great. The truth is that we have a new industry in our state that is creating jobs and making a major impact in the lives of Ohioans, especially here in Northeast Ohio.

Across our shale region we are seeing many opportunities that we did not before. Of course this is not only limited to direct industry jobs — those working for oil and natural gas companies — it also includes jobs being created to support those workers. From construction and manufacturing jobs to new hotels to restaurants, the article clearly ignores the thousands of jobs being supported and created as a result of oil and natural gas activity in the state.

This industry is still very young as well. What we will see over the next few decades will be even greater development.

We need to recognize the opportunities that have come and will come to our region thanks to this new industry. The jobs being created go much further than just the companies doing the drilling. We will continue to see a positive impact across the region for years to come.

Amy Rutledge, Carrollton

The writer is director of the Carroll County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Why does Gov. Kasich distance himself from Austintown racino?

Why does the Ohio Rac- ing Commission persist in gumming up the works for Penn National Gaming and its $125 million racino under construction in Austintown?

Last April, the commission took issue with the number of indoor seats with views of the track.

More recently, they were whining about the number of horse stalls, insisting that 760 stalls aren’t nearly enough. The “benchmark” it claims is 1,000 stalls.

A Vindicator column written several months ago told of a friendship between Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Quicken Loans, and a major player in several northeastern Ohio gaming venues. I believe that writer referred to the friendship as a “mutual admiration society.”

Regardless of the status of their “bro-mance,” it doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots. Kasich, through his appointees on the racing commission, continues to stymie Penn National. Gilbert, a potentially major campaign donor, gains a preferred spot on the governor’s already crowded dance card.

Speculation? Perhaps. However, we do know one thing for sure, and that is the deep affection Kasich has for the sound of his own voice. Indeed, always eager to speak to any audience, captive or otherwise, yet the governor was conspicuous by his absence from the May 31 racino groundbreaking, a significant event attended by Penn National officials, business and community leaders, local and county officials, most area state legislators, as well as U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.

It should be noted that the governor appeared at a similar launch at Exterran on Salt Springs Road, just a stone’s throw from the racino. He also spoke at NiSource in nearby New Middletown.

An accidental snub to Penn National? I don’t think so.

Chris Crowe, Canfield

To close partisan divide in US, parties must respect opposition

Bipartisanship among Ameri- ca’s political leaders is virtually nonexistent because of a major difference in opinion. Liberals and conservatives, even with their most moderate policies, have ideologies that are miles apart from each other. If that’s the case with moderate politicians, then the extremists are in different galaxies. When highly revered public officials like Mike Morell, former deputy director of the CIA, makes a statement on “60 Minutes” saying, “what really keeps me up at night is the inability of our government to make decisions that push our economy and our society forward,” every American should set aside time for some unbiased research.

If that statement isn’t discouraging enough Morell follows up with another message for Americans. “For some reason that I don’t understand, there’s been a change from a willingness of the two parties to work together to get things done to today the two parties at each other’s throats simply trying to score political points, and I don’t know why that’s occurred and I don’t have a good understanding of how to fix that.”

Remember, Mike Morell isn’t a politician; his sole purpose was to protect the American people from external threats. He was a true public servant whose words can be trusted and should be listened to.

The responsibility for the mismanagement of both parties is in the hands of our commander and chief; putting at risk not only our national security but our way of life. Set aside your loyalties and biases and focus on the fact that the president’s inability to successfully manage and communicate to both sides of government is destroying the two-party system.

Instead of working through differences, which is the basis for our political system, the two parties have retreated to defensive positions; worrying more about scoring political points than working for the people they represent. Wholeheartedly agreeing with the liberal or conservative policies isn’t tearing this country apart; it’s the lack of respect for the opposition. We are better than this and should demand more from our public officials.

Comments

I don't think that people who disagree with what Robertson said actually 'hate' the Bible. So again, that statement is pretty asinine. I do think it's more of a case of reasonable people lashing out at those who incorrectly and selectively interpret the Bible to support their own, and others, desire to instill fear, hate, and division as a way to advance their own personal beliefs. I mean, honestly, if Jesus returned tomorrow, the tea party would run Him out of town on a rail b/c he was too liberal. Robertson didn't quote the Bible at all. He was "paraphrasing" select parts of the Old Testament. And his statements that most African-Americans were 'happier' prior to the Civil Rights movement isn't based on anything in the Bible and quite honestly, is just moronic. And remember before you rage against those who went after him and claim that they 'hate' the Bible or hate free speech, they have just as much right to state their disagreements with his speech as he has to say what he wants. And he put himself out there in the first place, so for a guy like that to say the things he did in an interview, well, I don't blame him for being so ignorant, I blame him for being so stupid as to think there wouldn't be any blow back. So yeah, our speech is free, but we still have to pay the tax. You don't like it, then speak your mind, and be prepared for those who disagree with you to speak there's. The 1st Amendment cuts both ways. It's called America

@doubles "the 1st amendment cuts both ways. I agree, but its when a minority feels that they can make a man lose his job because they didn't like what was spoken is BS. Secondly I always thought that this country was run by the Majority not the minority !!! If you don't like it, too bad . But this PC world we have been forced to live in SUCKS!!!!!!

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person," Robertson is quoted in GQ. "Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field.... They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

Robertson made his statement based on his life experience. From his own words: “We were so poor as kids. I didn’t even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode–we didn’t have any of that. We started with a humble log house, milk cow, garden-raised our own food, killed a hog every year in the fall, and had the meat hanging up in the smokehouse—that was our childhood, me and ol’ Si. If you had pulled in there in the 1950s, you would’ve said it was the 1850s. It looked like we were living 100 years before.”

Miley Cyrus can "twerk" in front of all America and masturbate throughout her entire music video and she's applauded for her artistic expression, but Phil Robertson was banned and criticized for expressing his moral beliefs based on thousands of years of biblical teachings.

@76Ytown,I hope that you are not implying that Cyrus' antics are universally applauded. At least the media that watch and the people that I know considered her performance to be repulsive, and disgusting. Like it or not, in our "free" society there are going to be some segment to will defend and even applaud lewd and filthy behavior.

As a matter of fact, however Phil Robertson was not "banned" from A&E, he was officially on hiatus. It is my perception that A&E cooked this up to draw more attention to the Duck show. Robertson did not miss a single filming. His hiatus was a non-event. False indignation on the part of A&E that will result in more advertising revenue.

Even the Robertson family statement acknowledged that his language was unnecessarily coarse and apologized for it.

He describes himself as a redneck bible thumper, not a theologian, not a biblical scholar, and has every right to interpret the Bible any way he wishes.

The Robertson clan took a great gamble in alienating all the gay duck hunters who buy their best selling "yoohoo,over here, fella" duck call. They were rich before the show and will remain rich.The shale proponents are usually land owners who made a lot of money off the leases and are now trying to rationalize it for the rest of us.The racino is neither here nor there.I see over 30 lottery games for sale every time I go inside to pay for my gas.There is no difference to me.None.If people want to gamble their money away,its their money to do what they please with.